Nottingham Ice Cats vs Manchester Phoenix U14

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Nottingham Ice Cats 5 - 1 Manchester Phoenix U14

A visit to the NIC in Nottingham is always a tough encounter as the short-benched Phoenix Under-14s will testify from their recent visit to the Lace City.

The Ice Cats drew first blood with a powerplay strike from Hall just past the two-minute mark with Thomas Wilson serving time for Cross-Checking. Phoenix failed to replay the compliment on their first powerplay opportunity, but successfully killed off a Tripping call on James Soens. The first period was a fairly even affair with the home side having more goalscoring chances and the Phoenix cause was further hampered as Mike Gilbert left the game through injury following a Check from Behinf by Glossop in the 13th minute, the Nottingham player rightly penalised for a 2+10 major.

Following the delayed start to the game, the period intervals were shortened and trailing by the only goal going into the second period, Phoenix were battling well against a full bench of Ice Cats as the referee became stricter with his officiating and a string of minor penalties broke up the play. First Sheldon Cassidy went for High Sticking to be joined by Ice Cats Bettinson for Roughing. Jack Binley was next to the sin bin on a Tripping call before the home side drew their second major as Hall objected too strongly to the stripey in charge. The Phoenix bench received a Delay of Game minor and Glossop, not long out of the penalty box for Nottingham, went back on a Hooking minor. A busy period for the scorer in terms of penalties, but with no change to the one-nil scoreline.

Another shortened break saw the teams quickly back on the ice and the greater bench strength of the Ice Cats finally began to tell. The heavily penalised Glossop showed he can play a bit as he increased the home lead in the second minute of the period, netting from Bentlyeys' pass. A little over a minute later and Glossop bagged his second to make it 3-0 with assists to Kelsall and Hopkins. With Thomas Wilson again in the penalty box, this time for Boarding, in the 39th minute Glossop completed his hat-trick bang on forty minutes assisted by Bentley and Hall. The Phoenix were tiring and when Glossop netted his fourth of the period and the game to make it 5-0 with less than two minutes to play, Phoenix were left looking for consolation. Fortune favours the brave and the plucky Phoenix squad got their reward with just over a minute to play as Thomas Wilson cared out the opening and Sheldon Cassidy broke the shutout claims of the Ice Cats goalie.

A Phoenix spokeslady noted, "A delayed and late start on this Sunday evening meant the team was short before they started as some players were unable to travel. Injuries to two Phoenix players during the game left the bench even shorter. There were short breaks between periods which left little time for the players to recharge their batteries against a full bench of Nottingham players. But, these kids never give up and the late goal was scant reward for the tremendous spirit they showed."

Game Stats

Game Played: Sunday 21st February 2010

Period Scores 1-0, 0-0, 4-1

Total PM 28-12

Phoenix Stats: Sheldon Cassidy 1+0, Thomas Wilson 0+1

Goalie Stats – Harry Greaves 5/30 Nottingham 1/24

Phoenix MVP - Harry Greaves